Chaperones

I have seen a female family doctor for years and there is never anyone else in the room except for the doctor and me. The only exception was one annual visit where an intern was being trained and I was asked beforehand if it was ok for her to be present. I only am aware of a chaperone rule for children 15 and other - they must have a guardian present.

I understand mandatory chaperones for preteens, but I believe a 13 or 14 year old is old enough to come to a decision with their parents regarding if they want them present in the exam room. I truly do understand doctors wanting to protect themselves, but in many cases, extra people in the exam room, related or not, cause unnecessary stress for the patient. In some cases, patients may even feel like their privacy has been violated which is the exact opposite of the intention of requiring chaperones...

In some cases, patients may even feel like their privacy has been violated which is the exact opposite of the intention of requiring chaperones...

And not only has their privacy not been respected, so has the expected mutual trust that should be implicit in doctor-patient interactions ... in effect a doctor is saying: 'I don't trust you not to lie about what I have done during an examination/whatever' and a patient will be saying 'I don't trust you not to take advantage of me while I am in an awkward/vulnerable situation.' ...

Though I can see patients being afraid of an examination or afraid of hearing (negative) results and therefore needing someone to psychologically lean on.

The whole issue of chaperones and whether there is a 'rule' that requires them will usually be imposed from above by bosses. It will not be a matter of individual doctors and patients being able to trust each other, and this kind of thinking by management in many areas of work (not only the medical field) comes from having experienced inquiries into isolated incidents of alleged misconduct/negligence/malpractice. Management then decides it wants no more such enquiries any time soon, and then creates a culture in which absolutely no-one can be trusted. The management become prescriptive about exactly how things have to be done, and there is no flexibility. There are always unintended consequences of course. In the medical field it could indeed be that the patient feels that their privacy has not been respected due to the insistence that a chaperone be present, or that they are being made to feel that their doctors think them untrustworthy. It does seem quite damaging to those it actually affects, the public and those actually providing the service on the ground, but at least the bosses can sit comfortably behind their large, tidy desks, safe in the knowledge they are minimising the liability to themselves.

Undoubtedly many doctors will feel supported and protected by these arrangements and be comfortable with rules that require chaperones. Others will feel that they are not being allowed to judge for themselves. I wouldn't like to guess how opinion is split on this, however.

Another take on chaperones:

http://olderoticart.tumblr.com/image/143701125763

A couple of years ago our GP brought in a new doctor who is female. Every time I see her for a physical she is alone with me until the genital and rectal exam. She excuses herself and returns with a nurse or the receptionist. So I get to drop my pants for both oh them, which is fine because I'm a bit of an exhibitionist anyway. My last skin cancer screening was done by a PA and she also had an assistant with her. Also, my urologist uses a medical scribe now to record his findings. She gets a great view of my genitals and butt. She was also present for my cysoscopy' as well as a nurse. I don't know what the laws are, if any, but I rather enjoy the company.

Hi! I'm new here.

I recently saw a brand new internist for a physical. The nurse called me back, did weight and vitals. She said since this was my first time here the doctor may want to talk before I change.

A few moments later the doctor came back and did the history and chit chat. Then he asked when my last pelvic was and I told him it was some time last year but I couldn't remember exactly when so he said he could take care of that for me.

He pulled out a gown and asked me to undress and he would be back. Just about as soon as I got back on the table he knocked. He came in with the nurse. This is the first time i'd ever had a doctor bring in a chaperone, but it was this was a new place for me so I just figured that's how they do things.

The first thing he did was ask me to lie back and he positioned my feet in the stirrups. He did the pelvic exam and pap and then put my legs back down and told me to sit up. He said he would check my breasts next and pulled the gown down and off my arms and started and the breast exam. He had me lie down and continued the breast exam. He then had me sit up and put the gown back through my arms. He looked at the nurse and said that would be all. She left. I was a little taken confused because I thought that meant the exam was over.

After she left he took his stethoscope off the counter and listened to my heart and lungs. Then he went on to check my eyes, ears, nose, throat, felt my glands. Then he had me lie back. He pulled out a paper sheet and put it over my waist and legs. He lifted up the gown and checked my abdomen. He checked my joints and had me sit up and checked my reflexes. He said he wanted to check my blood pressure himself so the exam ended with him taking my blood pressure.

About 2 months ago I felt a lump in my breast, and I went to him to check it out. The nurse brought me into the room, took my vitals and told me to undress from the waist up and gave me a cape to cover my top half. The doctor came in and asked me a some questions and then said he would come right back with the nurse. I stopped him and said does she really need to be in here? He said no -- not at all if you don't want her in here. I said no it makes me uncomfortable and I really don't think it's necessary. Immediately he went to the computer to type something ( I wonder if has to document that I rejected the chaperone?). He did the exam and then (again) checked my blood pressure himself.

I'm wondering if others have had chaperones present during their exam and what their feelings are about it. I've never had a chaperone present before and I'm glad to know it's optional.

Welcome.

This has been discussed extensively. You may want to use the search feature to find and join an existing conversation.

We have probably discussed everything here at one point, but to encourage new members, it's sometimes in the angle of the post which is fresh. Here, forget about the patient/doctor. Let's just think about a chaperone, when one was present, what was the logic, how did we feel, and at what age, since nurses are often around in pediatric exams?

Welcome to the boards! Great way to start a discussion... I have a question- when the doctor dismissed the chaperone the first time, why do YOU think he dismissed her? Was it a trust thing?

It's a fantasy of mine to have a chaperone - so, I wouldn't have been so quick to have her dismissed... it's also interesting that he chose to do vitals and the less embarrassing procedures last... is this typical during your exams? Thanks for your contribution!

It was a different situation for me. I had a solid doctor/patient relationship (still do) with my current doctor. During my yearly physical my doctor entered the exam room and said "T, we have a few policy changes in place at the clinic. I kinda feel silly to ask because I know you well enough but I am now required to ask if you want a chaperone present while I conduct your exam today". I smiled at her and politely responded "No but thanks for asking. I don't require a chaperone.and as long as you are my doctor the answer will always be no". She seemed to appreciate my remark.

I feel more comfortable with a chaperone. I have always had my sister or partner with me.

Welcome to the boards! Great way to start a discussion... I have a question- when the doctor dismissed the chaperone the first time, why do YOU think he dismissed her? Was it a trust thing?

It's a fantasy of mine to have a chaperone - so, I wouldn't have been so quick to have her dismissed... it's also interesting that he chose to do vitals and the less embarrassing procedures last... is this typical during your exams? Thanks for your contribution!

I thought he dismissed her because he only wanted her there only for the breast and pelvic exam. He dismissed her once he finished those. I still wonder why did those parts of the exam first. He could have easily waited until the end and called her in then. It was my first time seeing this particular doctor at this particular clinic. I've never had the breast and pelvic exams done first. I also found it interesting he took my blood pressure himself (when the nurse had taken it earlier). I have seen him 4 times since that physical for minor issues and he has taken my blood pressure himself even after the nurse had taken it in the beginning. Needless to say I don't mind the extra attention.

The chaperone I've ever had was my dad when I was under 18. It was required by the doctor's office to have a chaperone in the room. My dad probably did see me naked though he did have his head turned. It wasn't a big deal.

When I first started seeing my female doctor, she worked in an office that had a very limited staff and she did my genital and rectal exams without a chaperone, which was fine by me. When she moved to another clinic across town, she began calling in the nurse to be present during the genital and rectal exams, so it must have been just standard office protocol. The nurse typically just stands there and does not participate in the exam or even assist with moving the gown or the drape sheet, and as near as I can tell (since I'm lying flat on my back and can't see that well) she isn't watching the procedure either. On one hand, the idea of having two women in the room during genital/rectal exams is psychologically exciting to me--but on the other hand, the reality of the experience sort of reinforces the fact that as far as the two medical professionals are concerned, there's certainly nothing sexual going on... 😉

Since my wife goes with me to all of my physicals and I go to hers, the doctor never brings a chaperon in. My doctor also almost always redoes my blood pressure at the end of every visit especially if it is high when the nurse takes it at the beginning. It tends to be more in the normal range by then.

Since my hubby has been to all of my annual exams since we met at the age of 17, there has never been a need for a chaperone, he gets to ensure the doctor is not inappropriate.

I've been seeing my female doc for a few years now and every time I have a Physical with her, she is always alone in the room with me. I like it better than having a chaperone.

My urologist is female and never has a chaperon in the room. Neither does my PCP.

Whenever possible I take a girlfriend to watch me get buttock injections. At the least it encourages her to tell me about her own shots back there and at best I can even persuade her to get one or more booster shots in her shapely bare bottom with me watching.

In every case where I've had a breast or pelvic exam, given by a male doctor, I've had a female chaperone in the room. Never have asked for it, it just seems like that's standard operating procedure.

My female dermatologist always has her medical assistant in the exam room when

I go for an examination.

I've had chaperones twice (two different doctors and two different clinics) What I find sort of wrong about this.....is that if she were to do something inappropriate, would the chaperone who works for clinic really speak out ? Where is my chaperone ? I can understand when it's a male doctor and female patient.

I've had chaperones twice (two different doctors and two different clinics) What I find sort of wrong about this.....is that if she were to do something inappropriate, would the chaperone who works for clinic really speak out ? Where is my chaperone ? I can understand when it's a male doctor and female patient.

Chaperones are for the protection of both you and the doctor. If you're worried about the doctor, you're free to provide your own witness for your safety, or better yet, find a different doctor.

The subject of chaperones is a tricky one. On one hand, chaperones can be a powerful protection against those rare cases of abuse. On the other hand, they can be an unwelcome set of eyes and ears that diminishes patient-doctor confidentially.

Then there's the question of which side the chaperone is on. If a patient brings his or her own chaperone, the doctor might be susceptible to a false claim of abuse. On the other hand, the patient may feel that a chaperone selected by the doctor is only looking out for the doctor's protection. And if there's no chaperone, who's story do you trust?

Obviously there's no perfect answer and no perfect way to implement chaperones.

@ Cloudyeve, Once you told your doc you felt uncomfortable with the nurse present, have your exams since then been without a chaperone?

The only 'perfect' chaperone is audio and video recording. I don't think most people want their medical interactions recorded for posterity - and subject to hacking or subpoena.

In general buzz kill. Especially if it's a male chaperone, regardless of the doctor's / nurse's gender. Best case female and female with the chaperone looking on and smiling gently while I get that glorious DRE.

@ Cloudyeve, Once you told your doc you felt uncomfortable with the nurse present, have your exams since then been without a chaperone?

Yes! I told him I didn't feel comfortable with the other person in the room and the subsequent times I've been there he has offered to get the assistant and I have declined and it seems to be a non-issue. For me, it really truely makes me uncomfortable and my doctor understands that. It took a lot of courage for me to speak up about it. I think if others feel the same about having others in the room you should speak up.

I believe it has to be documented that you declined because each time because he immediately types something in the computer.

I think the doctor would be more comfortable forgoing the chaperone after developing a professional relationship with you.

The only 'perfect' chaperone is audio and video recording.

Yes, the doctor and patient can both wear body cameras. Great idea. 😃

I think the doctor would be more comfortable forgoing the chaperone after developing a professional relationship with you.

Most of the times when I have had a chaperone, it's been when I'm a brand new patient. In my experience, once a doctor has established some relationship with you, they don't seem to feel the need for a chaperone.